Location
  • United States of America
    • Hawaii
Length
1 to 2 weeks
Merit-based funding, General grants/scholarships, Payment plans
Health & Safety

Program Details

Age Min.
16
Timeframe
Short Term Spring Break Summer Winter
Housing
Guesthouse Lodge
Groups
Small Group (1-15) Medium Group (16-30)
Travel Type
Budget Solo Women

Pricing

Starting Price
2695
Price Details
What's included:
All accommodations within Hawaii, which have access to basic amenities and security
All group transportation within Hawaii
All meals throughout your stay
All of your adventure and cultural immersion activities
Funding toward volunteer projects
Drinking water 24/7
What's Included
Accommodation Activities Meals Transportation
What's Not Included
Airfare Travel Insurance Visa
Jan 30, 2024
Jun 30, 2024
46 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Travel to Hawai’i with GIVE and explore stunning waterfalls, active volcanoes, and lush rainforests on the Big Island. Our projects focus on giving back to the ‘Aina (land) and Moana (sea) through forest restoration, marine conservation, and regenerative farming projects. Work with local nonprofits to learn about indigenous culture & land stewardship practices. You will also be able to snorkel with green sea turtles, hike across volcanic craters, stargaze and see the sky as you've never seen before, and talk stories with indigenous leaders about their sacred lands, culture, and history.

Enhance your trip with our optional add-ons
- Scuba conservation: Receive PADI Open Water certification and scuba dive to protect our oceans
- Academic course in EcoTourism: earn 3-6 college credits while traveling with GIVE!

Video and Photos

Impact

Sustainability

GIVE's mission is to inspire growth, empower global citizens, and ignite sustainable change worldwide. To truly inspire growth and achieve sustainable travel internationally, GIVE has adopted the Asset-based community development (ABCD) model, a set of proven best practices in sustainable development that mobilizes a community’s assets and resources as the basis for development. Furthermore, through providing hands-on and eye-opening learning experiences that foster authentic connections between participants and host community members, we can empower global citizens who will continue to spread GIVE’s values and ignite sustainable change worldwide.

Ethical Impact

Exploring the world with GIVE is all about responsible travel, but what does that really mean?
Mindful Tourism + Community Partnership = Economic Growth & Community Empowerment.

Part of what makes GIVE trips so special is being fully immersed in the cultures and communities we visit. However, we take extra steps to ensure we minimize our influence and always respect local cultures. We prepare all participants before travel and ensure they understand the culture and how to dress appropriately.

Program Highlights

  • Volunteer on environmental restoration projects
  • Trek through lava fields on active volcanoes
  • Chase waterfalls and snorkel amongst vibrant marine life
  • Take part in a farm to table cooking class
  • Experience some of the best stargazing on the planet

Program Reviews

5.00 Rating
based on 43 reviews
  • 5 rating 100%
  • 4 rating 0%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Impact 5
  • Support 5
  • Fun 5
  • Value 4.95
  • Safety 5
Showing 1 - 8 of 43 reviews
Default avatar
Zaina
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

GIVE is amazing!

GIVE gave me such an unforgettable experience that I will always cherish. I went on the Hawai’i trip and I can’t explain how lucky I was to be able to experience the beautiful culture there as well as make life long friends. Not only did I learn how important it is to travel sustainably, but l also learned the importance of preserving Hawaiian culture. Getting to hear the amazing stories and experiences from the local natives brought so much more meaning to the projects we were working on. Getting to go through this journey with such amazing, like-minded people really made this trip so memorable. Honestly this was the best decision ever and I can’t wait to go on my next GIVE trip!

1 person found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Kennedy
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Experience of a Lifetime

Volunteering with @givevolunteers surpassed all my expectations, and each project instilled in me a sense of responsibility toward conservation efforts, sustainable practices, and preserving ancestral knowledge. My experience was incredibly transformative, and I truly felt that every step left a positive mark and introduced me to some of the most special souls on earth🤍 I have so many new friends that bring out my inner child and we have already begun planning future trips.

Above all else, the people of Hawai’i have left an indelible mark on me. Their hospitality, resilience, and commitment to their heritage amidst modern challenges is truly inspiring. When you book that trip, be mindful!! Support locals, think about the amount of waste you’re producing, and find ways to give back/honor the awe-inspiring landscapes you’re spending time in. Mahalo Hawai’i & my new GIVE family for these memories I will cherish for a lifetime! 🫶🏼🌺

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
Dorian! A fellow volunteer bought one at a farmer’s market.
Pros
  • Soul enriching activities
  • New friends
  • Rewarding
4 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Mallory
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

GIVE Hawaii trip review

This trip was truly one of the best experiences of my life. It allowed me to learn so much about the culture of hawaii and gain a new perspective of tourism. I got to learn how to be global citizen with 21 other young adults who were very much like me.The people I met along the way each impacted me in a different way that was amazing. I think everyone should take a trip like this and GIVE is such a good place to do it through. The guides that led us through the native parts of hawaii were incredible and never failed to teach us new things and make it a fun time as well. I am already looking into doing another trip and I strongly encourage you to go on one as well!

What was the most unfamiliar thing you ate?
The most unfamiliar thing I tried was chocolate covered squid. One of my guides got it from a local candy store and we all got to try it. It was not the best thing I’ve had but it was fun to try!
Pros
  • Getting to help out where places need it, and feel like you are making a difference.
  • Getting to meet such amazing people that become your family.
  • Gaining a new perspective on the world.
Cons
  • Honestly none i enjoyed every single minute of this trip and was so sad to leave
6 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Kara
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Amazing opportunity!!!

My GIVE trip to Hawai’i was unforgettable. I loved getting to meet new and like-minded people who have the same interests as me. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to volunteer with local nonprofit organizations while also getting to experience a new culture. I am thankful for the opportunity I got to learn about the unique Hawaiian agriculture while also being able to help out at local nonprofit farms. The GIVE guides made sure everyone had what they needed and let us all know what to do to make sure we acted in a respectful manner when introduced to different cultural experiences. 💚

What was the most nerve-racking moment and how did you overcome it?
I was a bit nervous going on a trip where I didn’t know anybody else but all the volunteers and guides were so nice and welcoming
Pros
  • Learning about a new culture
  • Giving back to the local community while getting to travel to a new place
  • Learning how to be a global citizen
Cons
  • Got sunburnt on the first day (so make sure you always remember your sunscreen!)
35 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Italo
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

More than I could expect

Originally, I thought it would be just a scuba diving trip. However, I discovered a very committed travel agency that prioritized our well-being, safety, and health throughout the experience. They ensured we learned about the local culture, environment, oceans, and coral reefs.

Their island partners were fantastic as well. We learned a lot every day with Kohala Divers.

I highly recommend this program for anyone looking to step outside their comfort zone and challenge themselves. It will add so much to your life experience.

What was the most surprising thing you saw or did?
For sure the immersion in the Hawaiian culture.
Pros
  • Scuba Diving
  • Getting to know like-minded people
  • Culture exchange
33 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Jasmine
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

An unforgettable experience

This trip has taught me so much about life, it has introduced me to a new way of life that seemed unattainable for me. You are immersed in a beautiful community and culture. The projects were not easy, at times they were a bit challenging but they always felt meaningful and were fun. The guides were incredible and made every moment fun, they never offered any judgement towards any questions asked and they always made sure everyone was taken care of. Every project brought something new, whether it be learning about a new plant or farming style or about what this project means to their community and the history behind the places we enter.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Make sure you come with an open minded and heart, any problems you have leave on the plane. The work you will do during the projects will not be easy and you won’t spend a lot of time at the beach. Most of your time will be spent getting your hands and feet dirty at a farm or in mud, but it is all worth it. The things you will learn on this trip will stay with you so make them count. Also make sure to pack a raincoat, poncho, or drift long-sleeve because the rain comes and goes.
Pros
  • Lots of different activities
  • Each meal was different, most included pork in some way
  • Guides offered any help they could give
32 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Raya
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

An experience I will never forget !

I had always wanted to be able to travel and help people at the same time. Volunteering with Give allowed me to do exactly that !! I met so many like minded people, and got to participate in many hands on projects which is exactly what I was looking for. It may seem too good to be true looking from the outside in, but I can 100% say that my travel experience with Give was amazing, beyond words can describe !! I have friendships, memories, and new knowledge and skills that will last a lifetime !!

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
My advice would be to come into this experience with openness. You are going to meet alot of new and different people, you are going to be doing many things that could possibly be out of your comfort zone but that is a good thing! As long as you allow yourself to be open to any new experience you will grow and gain so much from this trip. Most importantly always remember when you are doing your project work that you are doing it for a good reason and it is worth your 100% effort.
Pros
  • Meeting new people
  • Gaining new experiences
  • Cultural Knowledge
31 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Piper
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Did Not Want to Leave

This experience is truly so impactful and will be a week you will never forget. Everyday we did a project to help the community. These activities were usually not too laborious and you got to learn about the culture while doing them. In our free time we did lots of fun activities, like hiking, shopping, or playing game. The people you are surrounded by make this program even better. Everyone who goes on the trip is so excited and happy to be there, so the connections that are formed are unlike any other. I plan to hold on to my lifelong friends, memories, and valuable lessons that this program has allowed me to form.

What is your advice to future travelers on this program?
Do not be afraid to engage with the people you are with. It may be intimidating at first, but if you take the first step to make connections it will improve your experience greatly.
Pros
  • Learn new cultures
  • Meet new great people
  • Enjoy the beautiful environment
Cons
  • Can be expensive
  • Jet lag
40 people found this review helpful.

Questions & Answers